On Sept 6, 2023 a function was organized by Aggarwal community and Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat argued that “Lower castes have been suffering since the Mahabharat times. It worsened in the centuries down the line and their condition was at times likes Animals. The RSS strongly support reservation to the extent allowed in the Constitution and mere economic benefit to a certain segment is not enough. Reservation has been brought as a remedy to the social evil. Its needs to be there till the discrimination on caste basis ends completely. Reservation is not a matter that needs to addressed with rationale but should be seen form the emotional perspective”.
The statement of Mohan Bhagwat is social inclusive in nature. As being Dalit & marginalised section of society since childhood I have heard and realized hatred and leftist propaganda against world’s largest volunteer cultural and social organisation which is vehemently committed to national regeneration and the idea of social inclusion. For ex: Sunil Ambedkar being a Dalit, recently wrote a book on RSS in the 21st Century which explains beautifully the idea of social inclusion not only of Dalit but also Muslim and Christian. Presently he is a senior Pracharak of the RSS and currently serves as the Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the organization.
Can you imagine being a Dalit anyone could get at this high position?? Obviously not even in Congress. Ramnath Kovind scheduled caste) & Draupadi Murmu(scheduled tribe) being appointed as Presidents of India was by the incumbent Prime minster of India Narendra Modi government. The Congress then only to gain sympathy towards Dalit community they appointed Mallikarjun Kharge as a President of Indian National Congress candidate(symbolically for dalit representation in national politics). In this article I will discuss and examine Ambedkar’s and RSS idea of social inclusion.
Ambedkar’s idea of social inclusion & Social justice
Ambedkar described himself as Progressive conservative and his idea of social inclusion was comprehensive in nature. His idea was to include dalits, Other backward class (OBC), women and religious minorities which are socially excluded from the mainstream section of society. He stated in his book (Annihilation of caste) that “He wants to reform hindu society and its reflection against dalits. Ambedkar was against untouchability & caste discrimination practiced by upper caste and argued that “untouchability based on caste discrimination destroys public spirit, denies equality and makes fraternity impossible and dismantling this graded inequality”.
Dr B.R Ambedkar’s idea of social justice was rooted in the struggle against caste oppression, untouchability and structural inequality in Indian society. For him social justice was not mere legal equality but a radical transformation of social relations. He mainly emphasis on social and economic equality. Ambedkar idea of ideal society must be based on liberty, equality and fraternity. He argued in constitution assembly that in terms of equality we are having only political equality but in terms of social and economic equality we are far away and he warned “Political equality with social inequality leads to instability and it’s not good for healthy democracy”.
RSS idea of social inclusion(Samajik Samrasta)
The RSS uses the term “Samajik Samrasta” rather than social justice. I am using Sunil Ambedkar and its book on “The roadmaps RSS in 21st century“ as a testimonial because he shared his life experience in this text. The RSS model of social inclusion mainly emphasis on Sangh Samaj; merging of Sangh with society and they see it as a future of Indian society & Indian democracy. The idea of social inclusion of RSS is rightly expressed in this Upanishad verse ‘Sam gachhwadham, sam vadadhwam sam manaansi jaanatam Deva Bhagam Yatha P rve sanjaanaanaa upasate,’ which means ‘Let us come together, let us speak together. Let our minds be of one accord as the gods of old sat together in harmony to worship’ is a mantra of the RSS.The Social inclusion model of RSS mainly focus on:
Unity within Hindu society: Indian society is divided into 4 varnas based on classification of Manu smriti; Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Earlier in society mobilization was allowed because it was based on the concept of merit not birth Ex: Shudras can become priests if he has the capability or merit to do so, but after 1000s of years, this system became corrupt by the fundamentalist, now occupation of individual will be decided by the birth and not on deed. When varna system was introduced, mobilization was allowed because the foundation or validity of individuals merit will be decided by the work, if an individual has a calibre or merit he can easily became or can come into upper strata for ex: Maharishi Valmiki being a dalit in nature, he was considered as brahmin because of his merit and deed.
He was the first poet of Sanskrit literature and author of Ramayana; Religious, moral guide, political text and cultural foundation of Indian civilization. But when the mobilization became rigid or the division of labourers, then society witness how dalits are being massacred by the so called upper or dominant caste for ex: Kilvenmani massacre(1968)Tamil Nadu, Belchi Massacre(Bihar,1977), Laxmanpur Bathe Massacre(Bihar,1977) where in large numbers Dalits are being killed just because they are asking for Equality& Dignity? Dalits always wanted to be a part of the Hindu religion, Even Raja ram Mohan Roy, Vivekananda, Savarkar, Hedgewar, Ambedkar tried his level best to reform and eradicate the social evils of society. There are following reasons form where the rigidity emerged:
- Endogamy (closed system)
- Concept of purity and pollution
- Hereditary occupation
- Superiority complex
The RSS describes varna system and its crucial importance for the Indian society because it was a division of labour not in labourer. It was based on guna not karma but the RSS or its sarsanghchalak had not only vehemently opposed the caste system but rejected the caste system and they always call for the unity of Hindu. Since 1925, The RSS believes in the vision of social inclusion that’s why they are the proponents of Vasudev Kutumabkam; The world is a Family. There are various sanghchalak who believes in unity in diversity and tried his best efforts to eradicate the social evils form the society such as:
- Dr K.B Hedgewar worked towards reducing caste discrimination within Hindu society and mainly emphasis on Hindu unity, promoting social integration and building a sense of shred national and cultural identity.
- M.S Golwalkar (Guruji) viewed society as an organic whole and rejected caste system. He mainly emphasised on cultural unity of Hindus and encouraged samajik samrasta.
- Babasaheb Deoras: He strongly condemned untouchability and in pune speech he argued “If Untouchability is not wrong, nothing is the world is wrong”. He vehemently encouraged and promoted inter dining and inter caste interaction.
- Mohan Bhagwat: He vehemently opposed caste discrimination and advocates social equality and constitutional provisions like Reservation.
All the sangchalak till date understand how much dalits have faced caste discrimination, atrocities and still facing these things at high intensity. Just because of being Dalit you have to face a lott of social atrocities, Economic exploitation, physical violence, gendered atrocities(Dalit Women). As per NCRB data 57789 crimes were registered against scheduled castes which is slightly higher than 2022(overall increase in 0.4 %) Day by day atrocities against has been increasing. There are various services or campaigns such as seva projects, Samajik Samrasta etc are handled by RSS to mitigate the instances of caste discrimination and to eradicate the notion of caste form society and this is all what Phule, Periyar and Ambedkar wants. They all imagined and envisioned a society where all are treated equally and there should be no discrimination based on caste, religion, race, sex etc. Everyone deserves dignity whether it’s about dalit, tribe or transgender.
Vision of Vasudev Kutumbkam
The phrase “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam originates from the Maha Upanishad and it means “The whole world is one family”. It reflects spiritual unity of humankind or Sangh universe and it totally reject the division of society based on caste, regional, race, sex etc. The RSS interprets this as a foundational principle of Hindu civilization and it integrates not only spirituality aspect alone instead it includes nationalisms. The RSS emphasizes on spiritual oneness of humanity and it argues all are having the same Atma irrespective of different caste religion race etc. they believe spiritual unity is superior to purely political or economic. The RSS views nation as an organic family.
Ambedkar and RSS idea of social justice is based on the notion of social inclusion but their methodology and ideology vary. Ambedkar totally wants annihilation of caste system because of inhuman instances in society. The RSS frames dalit inclusion within the idea of Hindu unity and social harmony(Samajik Samratsa). It opposes untouchability and promotes spiritual brotherhood or Sanghi Bichara through service activities and organizational practices. Rather than annihilating caste through radical means its emphasis reform, internal cohesion and civilizational unity. Therefore, the debates between two is not merely about social inclusion instead it’s about social equality which has been denied from several thousands of years and it represents two different paradigms of social reform in modern India.
